You can help prevent invasive plants taking root in our local Michigan ecosystem in the following ways:

1. Plant native habitat to support wildlife, including birds, butterflies, and pollinators.

2. Report where you see invasive species to help with early detection.

3. Attend workshops to learn more

Here’s a look back at what we tasted, and what we learned about Michigan/Great Lakes Invasive Species at the Forest to Table

Asian Carp

• Name refers not to one fish, but four different fish species all related to the carp family

• Have been used in aquaculture for over a thousand years in East Asia

• Likely escaped into the Mississippi river during flooding, giving carp the chance to alter native food webs

Autumn Olive

• Originally from Asia, this was widely planted in the 1950’s for erosion control

• Able to change the soil chemistry, preventing other plants from growing

• A fully grown shrub can produce about 30lbs of fruit per year

Garlic Mustard

• Brought from Europe in the 19th century for herbal uses and erosion control

• Roots release chemicals that affect the underground fungi responsible for delivering nutrients to other plants

• Produces a garlic smell when crushed

Common Buckthorn

• Native to Europe and west Asia

• Introduced to North America as an ornamental tree since at least the early 1800s

• Has the tendency to form dense tickets, which in turn out-competes other native trees

- Johnson Nature Center Target Species

What would you do with $2000?

The average family of four throws away $2000 worth of uneaten food each year. That's $2000 that could be spent on much better things! Wasting food not only wastes money but is one of the reasons our planet is heating up. How can you waste less? Follow this simple guide: Buy Less, Eat What You Buy, Compost the Rest. Learn more at www.makefoodnotwaste.org and on Facebook and Instagram @makefooddetroit.

Curious about composting?

Composting your food scraps and bio waste offers a myriad of benefits such as:

• Adds nutrients back into your soil to feed your plants

• Helps retain soil moisture

• Suppresses plant diseases and pests

• Reduces the need for chemical fertilizers

• Encourages the production of beneficial bacteria and fungi that break down organic matter to create humus, a rich nutrient-filled material

Midtown Composting offers a range of composting services for your home and business to make the process easier on you. Visit them at midtowncomposting.com for more info.

Looking for Invasives? Download the Goosechase app and go scavenger hunting for invasive species around the Johnson Nature Center! You can create a login or join in on the fun as a guest. Type in "Nature Invaders" in the search bar and start the epic adventure yourself, or split into teams. Don't let the nature invaders take over your home planet! The team with the highest score wins.

"Make a wish come true and sponsor an item. During your contribution, please be sure to name which item you'd like to sponsor, so that your wishes are granted as well. Thank you for helping to foster a great space for all to enjoy!"